And it's time for another CD review.

Z by My Morning Jacket (MMJ) is another disk that I discovered in the standard fashion: learn about the disk from a review or a TV ad or something, download a sample, listen a few times, make a decision to purchase. I know, a kinda boring and conservative approach.

One thing that has been annoying me about a lot of less-famous bands (the music press likes to call them "indie" acts) is that they often feature singers who sound like they're afraid to really sing. They timidly push the notes and words out in pinched, thin voices that only highlight the bombast and over-the-top singing of your standard-issue American Idol competitor. My Morning Jacket's singer, (you can't make a name like this up) Jim James, is not one of those frightened singers. He mostly sings in the back of his throat, but at full-volume when needed and with a rich tone unusual in rock music nowadays. He also eschews much in the way of ornamentation, letting the melody's beauty speak for itself.

Withe a few exceptions, MMJ's Z favors stately mid-tempo numbers and ostinato-style arrangements that favor static grooves over harmonic movement. The music press will tell you this is a hallmark of what they like to call "jam bands", meaning acts that favor long, improvised instrumental passages in concert. While I usually don't care for this kind of approach, the album's songs are mostly tight affairs with little of the tedious noodling that can dominate jam-band material and the lack of harmonic progression seems more serene and centered than aimless. The languid feel is enhanced by the vocal melodies which have a serene, stately sweep--it's easy to get caught up in the tunes, even when the tempos are a bit brisker and the band gets a touch livelier.

It's hard to imagine dancing to this recording, given the placid approach that permeates even the energetic songs, but this is some great listening.

8 out of 10

CDs listened to today:

• Various Artists: Logical Progressions, disk 2